Diagnostic ultrasound ( PDFDrive )

1858 PART V Pediatric Sonography
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B
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D
E
FIG. 53.41 Normal Appendix. (A) Fluid-illed but normal appendix
(arrows). (B) Appendix (arrows) moves freely with peristalsis of adjacent
bowel loops. (C) and (D) The normal appendix (arrows) fully collapses
when compressed by the transducer (CMP). (E) Another normal
appendix, with intraluminal air, at the tip (arrow).
It is important to remember that many inlammatory conditions
of the intestine other than appendicitis may be associated
with small amounts of free luid surrounding the bowel loops.
herefore small collections of simply echolucent luid without
other deinitive evidence of appendicitis should not necessarily
suggest an appendiceal abscess.
Other inlammatory conditions in the right lower quadrant
may resemble appendicitis clinically but may be identiied
sonographically. Mesenteric adenitis refers to inlammation
conined to the mesenteric lymph nodes in patients with a normal
appendix. he condition is oten associated with viral infection
and usually is self-limited. Clusters of enlarged mesenteric lymph
nodes that number more than ive and are tender with compression
suggest the diagnosis, 102 especially when a normal appendix
is also seen. Mild mucosal thickening in the distal ileum is a
common associated inding (Fig. 53.45). Isolated mesenteric
lymph nodes are common and should not be considered abnormal.
Omental infarction is a less common cause of acute abdominal